Jim Donaldson: Many owners "uncomfortable" and pressuring Goodell to settle

TommyD4207 said:

This. This is a concoction by the BSM, and has somehow been allowed to float around unchallenged as conventional wisdom.

Brady's not taking a game, he never was taking a game, because it's clear he feels he did nothing wrong.

The BSM wants Brady to take a game, because they don't want to talk about it anymore, and it makes their job too hard - because they have to do stuff. Like read.

"Jeff, we've been out here all day!"

That's all you need to know about the ****ing BSM in a nutshell. Whiny bunch of babies. Even some of the better ones out there, like Gasper, are no exception.

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Gasper? Gasper is horrible!

Hoodie said:

You know what else I don't get? Brady was criticized for a lukewarm denial. If he were really innocent, they said, he'd have denied it in no uncertain terms. Therefore, he's guilty.

Now Brady is saying he's innocent by refusing to settle and all these same journalists are telling him to settle.

It doesn't make sense but then, none of this does.

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Because deep down, they want him to be guilty, so they have something to talk about when ESPN calls them for an interview.

That's the BSM.

rochrist said:

Gasper? Gasper is horrible!

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Oh I don't think so.

Guy does his homework, and he's an actual reporter. I don't necessarily agree with all his opinions, but at least he's good at his job.

In this case though, he's Steve Burton acting like Jeff Kessler owes him something.

TommyD4207 said:

Oh I don't think so.

Guy does his homework, and he's an actual reporter. I don't necessarily agree with all his opinions, but at least he's good at his job.

In this case though, he's Steve Burton acting like Jeff Kessler owes him something.

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Eh. I think he's horrible. He's one step short of being a charter member of the Felger 'Pats and Bill are wrong about this, this and that' wagon.

Chris Price is far better. As is Phil Perry and Tom Curran. Even Jeff Howe.

TommyD4207 said:

This. This is a concoction by the BSM, and has somehow been allowed to float around unchallenged as conventional wisdom.

Brady's not taking a game, he never was taking a game, because it's clear he feels he did nothing wrong.

The BSM wants Brady to take a game, because they don't want to talk about it anymore, and it makes their job too hard - because they have to do stuff. Like read.

"Jeff, we've been out here all day!"

That's all you need to know about the ****ing BSM in a nutshell. Whiny bunch of babies. Even some of the better ones out there, like Gasper, are no exception.

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To be fair, it's been floating out there for quite some time, so I'm guessing it isn't just a BSM creation.

They're uncomfortable because they know Brady has the means and the weapons to go after the league for a massive lawsuit.

Rob0729 said:

At this point, Goodell is not going to Kraft to propose anything. Maybe Rooney and Mara will.

And I think Kraft will support Brady to fight this to the end. He will not convince Brady to do anything to trust the league. I think Kraft is smart enough to know that if Brady settles with the league, the NFL will spread rumors that Brady settled because he knows he is guilty.

Kraft may have had too much faith in Goodell in May, but he is not a dumb man. He knows Goodell (or at least the League) burnt him when he capitulated. No way does he encourage Brady to do the same.

Everyone thinks Kraft and Belichick are trying to encourage Brady to end this so it isn't hanging over the team this season. I think both men hates the League office so much right now that they would rather go 0-16 this season as long as Brady wins this than Brady to settle just to focus on the season.

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You have a lot more faith in Kraft's position based on his latest statement than I have based ont he past eight years of his actions and his prior statements. Until he actually says or does anything negative regarding Goodell himself I doubt the bridge has been burned. I believe Kraft has already convinced himself that Pash is to a blame and that Goodell was put in a bad position. So when they come to him with the one game prop osal he will be receptive. We shall see what happens.

In a "what have you done for me lately" discussion, I can see owners moving on from Goodell pretty easily. The CBA is locked in for the next six years and owners are guaranteed a growing revenue pie. Thanks Roger.....we compensated you very well for your years of service....but now your presence is a distraction to the on-field product and a divisive force at a time of negotiated peace.
What other sport has the Commissioner's name attached to every headline? How many more fan bases is the NFL willing to alienate? ....Roger is good for at least one a year.

I lol at people who think TFB will take a game suspension. .. No way on gods green earth is he accepting anything more than a fine for the alleged non cooperation. If it goes the wrong way in court he's sitting 4 games

flasox27 said:

You have a lot more faith in Kraft's position based on his latest statement than I have based ont he past eight years of his actions and his prior statements. Until he actually says or does anything negative regarding Goodell himself I doubt the bridge has been burned. I believe Kraft has already convinced himself that Pash is to a blame and that Goodell was put in a bad position. So when they come to him with the one game prop osal he will be receptive. We shall see what happens.

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Unless that proposal also includes a lessening of the penalties against the Patriots, I doubt it.

ctpatsfan77 said:

To be fair, it's been floating out there for quite some time, so I'm guessing it isn't just a BSM creation.

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They're the first ones who came up with it - when this all started.

"A game, maybe two". Then they were all outraged for 5 seconds at 4, then saying "Well, it will get reduced to 2".

What about this settlement: 0 games but a fine, and Brady states that he directed the equipment guys to deflate the football. I bet Brady wouldn't take it, and I'd be disappointed if he did!

I think the party here that doesn't want to settle regardless of the terms is the NFLPA. For them this isn't about deflated balls or even Tom Brady, its about getting a precedent set in a Federal Court in NY that they can use as leverage to stick it to the owners in the next CBA (if not before then).

A settlement would obviously have to be no games and no acceptance of guilt from Brady, he wouldn't accept any less. But from the NFL's side they will never admit that their processes and powers were inappropriate. So a settlement from their side would likely revolve around lack of evidence against Brady instead of a labor issue. This would vindicate Brady personally, but the NFLPA doesn't care about that, they care about beating the NFL and regaining some control.

I think the NFLPA wants to take this as far as they can because they feel they are onto a winner. At the same time I think a lot of the owners see that as well and know this verdict could be a huge hit to them and the commissioners powers. I hope Judge Berman not only rules in favor of Brady and the NFLPA, but tears the NFL and particularly Goodell a new one in his verdict. I know a lot of fans and media stopped paying attention once Brady's side of the story started to come out, but it will be mighty difficult to ignore if a Federal Judge destroys Goodell and the NFL for their despicable behavior in this matter.

Rob0729 said:

The problem is that it takes 24 owners to oust Goodell. It will be really tough to get that many votes. Many owners probably hate how he is running things, but are concerned that it would tarnish the League more by firing him than let him continue to mishandle every controversy. Until you get those guys to cave, there will never be any actions that we will see publicly.

But I bet that many of the owners who have publicly supported him are probably privately tired of his BS.

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Maybe Jerry Jones will flip sides and join the side that wants to oust Goodell.

After all, if the suspension becomes anything less than 4 games then the Cowboys will have to face Brady anyway.

TB_Helmet said:

What about this settlement: 0 games but a fine, and Brady states that he directed the equipment guys to deflate the football. I bet Brady wouldn't take it, and I'd be disappointed if he did!

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He testified under oath that he had nothing to do with it, he can't admit guilt now.

TB_Helmet said:

What about this settlement: 0 games but a fine, and Brady states that he directed the equipment guys to deflate the football. I bet Brady wouldn't take it, and I'd be disappointed if he did!

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This is a really bad post. I didn't dislike it, but you really need to up your game if you want to last as a poster here.

Goodell can't settle without being neutered as commissioner. The only way the NFL can "settle" is for Goodell to resign, then the temp commissioner vacates the punishment and absolves Brady and the Pats. The league can then name a new commissioner and start over with a clean slate.

The Gr8est said:

This is a really bad post. I didn't dislike it, but you really need to up your game if you want to last as a poster here.

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Haha sorry, I am still a Rookie after all. I'll take a lap.

But let me rephrase it and you can tell me if you agree (or if you still think it's a 'bad post' and at least tell me why). I can envision a scenario where the NFL offers 0 games but still coerces Brady into 'admitting' he did it, as a false confession. And I think even with 0 games that Brady wouldn't take that. He'd rather sit 4 than be pressured into a false acknowledgement of guilt.

Rob0729 said:

From his article today:





http://www.providencejournal.com/ar...RED/st_refDomain=t.co&st_refQuery=/8Pj3UQnwaq

I never bought the theory that 31 other owners loved how Goodell handled this situation. After the last week, there is no way most of them are happy now. You might have a few shortsighted owners who hate the Pats who want to see Brady suffer even if it takes down Goodell with it, but most owners have to look at this and say that even if Goodell wins in court it is a Pyrrhic victory because he and the rest of the league look really bad now.

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I'd add that everything is a public negotiation, and some of those who claim to be thrilled with how Goodell is handling things may not really be, with the obvious motive for their minor dishonesty being a desire to preserve or strengthen his negotiating position.